OpenLegislation

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 56 · Enacted 30 July 1954 · Extends to England and Wales

Not fully up to date. 6 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 30 July 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 69(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 20(a)(i)
s. 69(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 20(a)(ii)
s. 69(1)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 20(b)
Pt. 2excludedDefence Reform Act 2014 Sch. 1 para. 2
s. 63(2A)-(2C)insertedProduct Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 s. 65
s. 57modified by 1967 c. 88, s. 38(2) (as substituted)Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 Sch. 3 para. 14(b)

An Act to provide security of tenure for occupying tenants under certain leases of residential property at low rents and for occupying sub-tenants of tenants under such leases; to enable tenants occupying property for business, professional or certain other purposes to obtain new tenancies in certain cases; to amend and extend the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927, the Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938, and section eighty-four of the Law of Property Act 1925; to confer jurisdiction on the County Court in certain disputes between landlords and tenants; to make provision for the termination of tenancies of derelict land; and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid.

[30th July 1954] I1C1C2C3C4C5C6

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act extended by Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48), s. 76, Sch. 4 para. 93(1)(xii), and British Telecommunications Act 1981 (c. 38), s. 87, Sch. 3 para. 10(h)

C2

Act extended by Civil Aviation Act 1982 (c. 16, SIF 9), s. 19, Sch. 2 para. 4

C3

Act amended: by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), ss. 57(7), 84, 102, Sch. 13 para. 13(a); (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 16(1), Sch. 4 para. 2(1)(vii) and S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

C4

Act extended by Gas Act 1986 (c. 44, SIF 44:2), s. 67(1)(3), Sch. 7 para. 2(1)(ix), Sch. 8 para. 33

C5

Act extended by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), s. 190(1), Sch. 25 para. 1(2)(vi) (with ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 189(4)–(10), 190, 193(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58)

C6

Act extended: by Electricity Act 1989 (c. 29, SIF 44:1), s. 112(1)(3), Sch. 16 para. 1(1)(ix), Sch. 17 para. 33; (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, s. 39, Sch. 13 para. 20(a) (with ss. 54(7), 66(7), Sch. 17 paras. 22, 23(2))

Act modified (1.4.1995) by S.I. 1995/401, art. 18, Sch. para. 2(a)

Act applied (1.11.1996) by 1996 c. 56, ss. 301(5), 583(2) (with ss. 1(4), 582(3), Sch. 39)

Act applied (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 76, Sch. 22 Pt. III para. 10(1)(b)(2) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Act modified (1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 38, s. 37, Sch. 5 para. 1(2)(e); S.I. 2001/869, art. 2

Act: powers transferred (1.7.1999) (except that in relation to ss. 57(1)-(6) and 58 it is directed that the certification function shall be exercisable by the Assembly concurrently with any Minister of the Crown by whom it is exercisable) by S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1

Commencement

I1

Act wholly in force at 1.10.1954 see s. 70(2)

Contents

  1. Part I: Security of Tenure for Residential Tenants
  2. Security of tenure for tenants under ground leases, etc.
  3. 1Protection of residential tenants on termination of long tenancies at low rents.
  4. 2Tenancies to which s. 1 applies.
  5. Continuation and termination of tenancies to which s. 1 applies
  6. 3Continuation of tenancies to which s. 1 applies.
  7. 4Termination of tenancy by the landlord.
  8. 5Termination of tenancy by the tenant.
  9. Statutory tenancies arising under Part I
  10. 6Application of Rent Acts where tenant retains possession.
  11. 7Settlement of terms of statutory tenancy.
  12. 8Provisions as to repairs during period of statutory tenancy.
  13. 9Principles to be observed in determining terms of statutory tenancy as to repairs and rent.
  14. 10Provisions as to liabilities under tenant’s covenants in former lease.
  15. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. Provisions as to possession on termination of long tenancy
  17. 12Grounds for resumption of possession by landlord.
  18. 13Landlord’s application for possession.
  19. 14Provisions where tenant not ordered to give up possession.
  20. 14ACompensation for possession obtained by misrepresentation
  21. 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. General and supplementary provisions
  23. 16Relief for tenant where landlord proceeding to enforce covenants.
  24. 17Prohibition of agreements excluding Part I.
  25. 18Duty of tenants of residential property to give information to landlords or superior landlords.
  26. 19Application of Part I to tenancies granted in continuation of long tenancies.
  27. 20Assumptions on which court to determine future questions.
  28. 21Meaning of “the landlord” in Part I and provisions as to mesne landlords, etc.
  29. 22Interpretation of Part I.
  30. Part II: Security of Tenure for Business, Professional and other Tenants
  31. Tenancies to which Part II applies
  32. 23Tenancies to which Part II applies.
  33. Continuation and renewal of tenancies
  34. 24Continuation of tenancies to which Part II applies and grant of new tenancies.
  35. 24AApplications for determination of interim rent while tenancy continues
  36. 24BDate from which interim rent is payable
  37. 24CAmount of interim rent where new tenancy of whole premises granted and landlord not opposed
  38. 24DAmount of interim rent in any other case
  39. 25Termination of tenancy by the landlord.
  40. 26Tenant’s request for a new tenancy.
  41. 27Termination by tenant of tenancy for fixed term.
  42. 28Renewal of tenancies by agreement.
  43. Application to court for new tenancies
  44. 29Order by court for grant of new tenancy or termination of current tenancy
  45. 29ATime limits for applications to court
  46. 29BAgreements extending time limits
  47. 30Opposition by landlord to application for new tenancy.
  48. 31Dismissal of application for new tenancy where landlord successfully opposes.
  49. 31AGrant of new tenancy in some cases where s. 30(1)(f) applies.
  50. 32Property to be comprised in new tenancy.
  51. 33Duration of new tenancy.
  52. 34Rent under new tenancy.
  53. 34ARent under new tenancy conferring code rights
  54. 34BCompensation for exercise of code rights
  55. 34CFurther provision about compensation under section 34B
  56. 35Other terms of new tenancy.
  57. 36Carrying out of order for new tenancy.
  58. 37Compensation where order for new tenancy precluded on certain grounds.
  59. 37ACompensation for possession obtained by misrepresentation
  60. 38Restriction on agreements excluding provisions of Part II.
  61. 38AAgreements to exclude provisions of Part 2
  62. General and supplementary provisions
  63. 39Saving for compulsory acquisitions.
  64. 40Duty of tenants and landlords of business premises to give information to each other.
  65. 40ADuties in transfer cases
  66. 40BProceedings for breach of duties to give information
  67. 41Trusts.
  68. 41APartnerships.
  69. 42Groups of companies.
  70. 43Tenancies excluded from Part II.
  71. 43ZAFurther exclusion of home business tenancies from Part 2
  72. 43AJurisdiction of county court to make declaration.
  73. 44Meaning of the landlord in Part II, and provisions as to mesne landlords, etc.
  74. 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  75. 46Interpretation of Part II.
  76. Part III: Compensation for Improvements
  77. 47Time for making claims for compensation for improvements.
  78. 48Amendments as to limitations on tenant’s right to compensation.
  79. 49Restrictions on contracting out.
  80. 50Interpretation of Part III.
  81. Part IV: Miscellaneous and Supplementary
  82. 51Extension of Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938.
  83. 52Amendment of Law of Property Act 1925, s. 84.
  84. 53Jurisdiction of county court where lessor refuses licence or consent.
  85. 54Determination of tenancies of derelict land.
  86. 54ARent reviews and arrangements for new tenancies
  87. 55Compensation for possession obtained by misrepresentation. Repealed
  88. 56Application to Crown.
  89. 57Modification on grounds of public interest of rights under Part II.
  90. 58Termination on special grounds of tenancies to which Part II applies.
  91. 59Compensation for exercise of powers under ss. 57 and 58.
  92. 60†Special provisions as to premises provided under Distribution of Industry Acts 1945 and 1950, etc.
  93. 60AWelsh Development Agency premises.
  94. 60B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  95. 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  96. 62Section 62
  97. 63Jurisdiction of court for purposes of Parts I and II and of Part I of Landlord and Tenant Act 1927.
  98. 64Interim continuation of tenancies pending determination by court.
  99. 65Provisions as to reversions.
  100. 66Provisions as to notices.
  101. 67Provisions as to mortgagees in possession.
  102. 68†Repeal of enactments and transitional provisions.
  103. 69Interpretation.
  104. 70Short title and citation, commencement and extent.
  105. Schedule FIRST: Supplementary Provisions as to Payments for Accrued Tenant’s Repairs
  106. Part I: Provisions as to making of payment in lump sum
  107. 1Paragraph 1
  108. 2Paragraph 2
  109. 3Paragraph 3
  110. 4Paragraph 4
  111. 5Paragraph 5
  112. Part II: Provisions as to making of payment by instalments
  113. 6Paragraph 6
  114. 7Paragraph 7
  115. 8Paragraph 8
  116. 9Paragraph 9
  117. 10Paragraph 10
  118. 11Paragraph 11
  119. 12Paragraph 12
  120. Part III: Variation of agreement or determination as to time for making payment
  121. 13Paragraph 13
  122. 14Paragraph 14
  123. 15Paragraph 15
  124. 16Paragraph 16
  125. Part IV: Supplementary
  126. 17Paragraph 17
  127. 18Paragraph 18
  128. 19Paragraph 19
  129. Schedule SECOND: Further Provisions as to Repair where Tenant retains Possession
  130. Failure of landlord to carry out initial repairs
  131. 1Paragraph 1
  132. 2Paragraph 2
  133. 3Paragraph 3
  134. Failure of tenant to carry out initial repairs
  135. 4Paragraph 4
  136. Expenses and receipts: mortgages, settlements, etc.
  137. 5Paragraph 5
  138. 6Paragraph 6
  139. Record of state of repair of dwelling-house
  140. 7Paragraph 7
  141. 8Paragraph 8
  142. 9Paragraph 9
  143. 10Paragraph 10
  144. 11Paragraph 11
  145. Schedule THIRD: Grounds for Possession on Termination of Tenancy
  146. 1Paragraph 1
  147. 2Paragraph 2
  148. Schedule FOURTH: Modifications of Part I in relation to Periodical Tenancies
  149. 1Paragraph 1
  150. 2Paragraph 2
  151. 3Paragraph 3
  152. 4Paragraph 4
  153. 5Paragraph 5
  154. Schedule FIFTH: Provisions for purposes of Part I where Immediate Landlord is not the Freeholder
  155. Definitions
  156. 1Paragraph 1
  157. Acts of competent landlord binding on other landlords
  158. 2Paragraph 2
  159. Provisions as to consent of other landlords to acts of competent landlord
  160. 3Paragraph 3
  161. 4Paragraph 4
  162. 5Paragraph 5
  163. 6Paragraph 6
  164. 7Paragraph 7
  165. Failure of competent landlord to carry out initial repairs
  166. 8Paragraph 8
  167. Relief in proceedings by superior landlord
  168. 9Paragraph 9
  169. Relief for mesne landlord against damages for breach of covenant
  170. 10Paragraph 10
  171. Provisions as to liabilities under tenants’ covenants in superior leases
  172. 11Paragraph 11
  173. Schedule SIXTH: Provisions for Purposes of Part II where Immediate Landlord is not the Freeholder
  174. Definitions
  175. 1Paragraph 1
  176. Power of court to order reversionary tenancies
  177. 2Paragraph 2
  178. Acts of competent landlord binding on other landlords
  179. 3Paragraph 3
  180. Provisions as to consent of mesne landlord to acts of competent landlord
  181. 4Paragraph 4
  182. Consent of superior landlord required for agreements affecting his interest
  183. 5Paragraph 5
  184. Withdrawal by competent landlord of notice given by mesne landlord
  185. 6Paragraph 6
  186. Duty to inform superior landlords
  187. 7Paragraph 7
  188. Schedule SEVENTH. . .
  189. Schedule 7A: Rent reviews
  190. Part 1: Key terms
  191. 1“Business tenancy”
  192. 2“Business tenancy with a rent review”
  193. Part 2: Triggering and operation of rent reviews
  194. 3Application of this Part
  195. 4Tenant to have power to trigger a rent review
  196. 5Tenant to have power to take action to enable rent review to operate effectively
  197. Part 3: Rent review terms that are of no effect
  198. 6Application of this Part
  199. 7Rent review terms that “do not specify new passing rent”
  200. 8Elements 1 and 2
  201. 9Amount of new passing rent to be larger than reference amount
  202. 10Exceptions
  203. Part 4: Sub-tenancy required to include rent review terms that would be of no effect
  204. 11Application of this Part
  205. 12Modification of terms of superior tenancy
  206. 13Interpretation
  207. Part 5: General provision
  208. 14Anti-avoidance
  209. 15Interpretation
  210. Schedule 7B: Arrangements for renewal of tenancies: prohibited terms
  211. 1Application of this Schedule
  212. 2Condition A: a business tenancy
  213. 3Condition B: a tenancy renewal arrangement
  214. 4Condition C: tenancy renewal arrangement on or after 17 March 2026
  215. 5Condition D: initial rent not known
  216. 6Condition E: terms for determining the initial rent
  217. 7Condition F: method for determining the initial rent
  218. 8Amount of initial rent to be larger than reference amount
  219. 9Exceptions
  220. 10Anti-avoidance
  221. 11Interpretation
  222. Schedule EIGHTH: Application of Part II to land belonging to Crown and Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall
  223. 1Paragraph 1
  224. 2Paragraph 2
  225. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  226. 4Paragraph 4
  227. 5Paragraph 5
  228. Schedule NINTH: Transitional Provisions
  229. 1, 2Paragraph 1, 2 Repealed
  230. 3Paragraph 3
  231. 4Paragraph 4
  232. 5Paragraph 5
  233. 6Paragraph 6
  234. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  235. 8Paragraph 8
  236. 9, 10Paragraph 9, 10 Repealed
  237. 11Paragraph 11